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Global Business & Human Rights

Our Global Business & Human Rights blog features nuanced discussion regarding the responsibilities of multinational companies, governments and multilateral institutions towards sustainability, with a particular focus on international human rights.

Data Privacy Day Reflections – Compliance, Governance, Ethics (and AI)
Blog February 01, 2021
Cross-posted from Security, Privacy the Law January 28 is Data Privacy Day, and on this 14th annual Data Privacy Day, I find myself reflecting on the question of data ethics. Far from being an academic concept, “data ethics” presents a model for data management with real practical implications for organizations.  (I should note that I am focused here on personal data.)  To understand what the concept might entail…
California Passes New Data Privacy Law With National Implications
Blog July 18, 2018
This post, written by Christopher Hart, was originally posted on Foley Hoag's Security, Privacy and the Law blog. *     *     *     *     * The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”) was signed into law on June 28, 2018. Although it is a state law, it has national and international ramifications…
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog November 03, 2017
Its Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: the formal withdrawal of the United States from the EITI; the passage of the Canadian Magnitsky Act; and the launch of the Investor Alliance for Human Rights. On November 2, the Government of the United States formally withdrew from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)…
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog March 24, 2017
It's Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: the European Parliaments adoption of a new conflict minerals regulation; the French Constitutional Councils review of the proposed duty of vigilance legislation; the dismissal of the Doe v. Nestle litigation; and the release of a new Corporate Accountability Index by Ranking Digital Rights…
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog February 10, 2017
It's Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: a federal court decision holding that U.S.-based companies may be obligated to turn over customer data stored outside the United States; an amicus brief opposing President Trumps Executive Order establishing an entry ban on individual from seven Muslim-majority countries; and new guidance from the OECD with regard to due diligence in……
Hey, Alexa – Tell Me About My Privacy Rights!
Blog January 26, 2017
This post, written by Jeremy Meisinger, was originally published on the firms Security, Privacy, and the Law blog. For internet-of-things watchers, some information to chew on:  several news outlets have reported on a dispute between Amazon and law enforcement investigators in Bentonville, Arkansas. Arkansas police are investigating an apparent homicide that took place in November 2015…
Second Circuit Holds that the U.S. Government Cant Order Microsoft to Disclose Customer Emails Stored in Ireland
Blog July 14, 2016
In a case closely watched by privacy advocates, on July 14, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Stored Communications Act (SCA) does not authorize U.S. law enforcement authorities to order U.S.-based companies to turn over customer e-mail content that is stored exclusively outside the United States. In the case, Microsoft v. United States of America, Microsoft challenged a warrant requiring it to turn over customer data…
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog June 24, 2016
It's Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: a new guide for business lawyers from the International Bar Association that seeks to promote implementation of the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; the public release of Know the Chains first report benchmarking technology companies on efforts to address forced labor in their supply chains…
Managing Users Rights Responsibly  A Guide for Early-Stage Companies
Blog April 01, 2016
Ill be speaking this morning at RightsCon regarding a new guide for early-stage technology companies seeking to operate with respect for users rights to freedom of expression and privacy. I have worked to develop the guide with Vivek Krishnamurthy and Dalia Ritvo, friends and colleagues at the Cyberlaw Clinic, which is based at Harvard Universitys Berkman Center for Internet…
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Foley Hoag’s Global Business and Human Rights practice provides counsel to multinational companies, governments, and multilateral institutions regarding social, political, and environmental challenges.

Our advice to clients encompasses legal and reputational risk management with respect to human rights, including labor rights and the rights of indigenous peoples; the design and implementation of stakeholder engagement programs; and professional auditing services, ranging from due diligence desk-top analyses to on-the-ground human rights impact assessments and the monitoring of social, human rights, and environmental initiatives.

In addition, we provide clients with crisis management and mediation services with respect to disputes with impacted communities and stakeholder groups, ranging from indigenous peoples to non-governmental organizations.